ROCKFORD — The long, downhill fairways at the former Alpine Hills Golf Course could get new life as snow-covered slopes for skiers and snowboarders.

Rockford Park District officials look at the 8 percent slope on the 52-acre site and see opportunity for snowboard terrain that includes rails, jumps and boxes, but they know there’s potential for more.

The district is turning to the residents it serves to decide what best fits at the proposed adventure park. A golf training grounds with a five-hole course is in the works, and the district is building a plan for winter activities.

It could include tubing, toboggan runs, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, a warming center and concessions with treats, like hot chocolate to warm you up.

Summer activities could range from mountain biking to rock climbing, camping and cyclocross (a cross-country-style bike race). The district also could incorporate a dog park, which would be its fourth.

“We really have a unique piece of property here where it’s really affording us some possibilities to be creative,” said Laura Pigatti Williamson, deputy director of capital planning and asset management.

“As our design consultants like to say, it’s like bringing the mountain to the city.”

The district is gathering feedback through an online survey and hosting a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the Webbs Norman Center, 401 S. Main St., to hear what residents want.

“There’s an opportunity here with the natural terrain where we can actually create a fair amount of winter fun without needing to drive out west to participate in sports like snowboarding and snow skiing,” Pigatti Williamson said.

The district hopes to start construction in fall 2013, pending the gathering of required permits. Pigatti Williamson said it’s difficult to predict the length of the permit process because this park would be the first of its kind in Rockford.

The district got a $400,000 state grant last summer to kick-start its fundraising goals. It also got a $150,000 grant from the Wadworth Foundation and about $100,000 in pledges and donations toward the project, which is expected to cost about $1.8 million. The goal is to use primarily donations and grants to pay for it.

The Hansberger family donated the course, 4402 Larson Ave., to the Rockford Park District Foundation in spring 2011.